An action plan/recommendations to implement a change or update to the
service sustainability policy :-
i.
Energy use,
ii.
Waste Management,
iii.
Water usage.
ENERGY USE
|
Strategy
|
Experience/Strategy/Action
|
1
|
Switch lights off when
not needed and use compact fluorescent lamp(CFL)
|
2
|
Install timing systems
for lights and other applicable appliances. Install solar panels if possible.
|
3
|
Reduce use of air
conditioning by making best use of natural ventilation- open and closed
windows, and positions external blinds for maximum shading effect.
|
WASTE MANAGEMENT
|
Strategy
|
Experience/Strategy/Action
|
1
|
Develop an online portal
for parents login to access their children’s portfolio instead of
printouts/paper.
Alternate Option: To
store children’s portfolio in storage device(USB stick) so that parents can
access it digitally.
|
2
|
Use refillable ink
cartridges for printers
|
3
|
Use recycled materials
for art and craft.
|
4
|
Dispose of food waste
thoughtfully. Leftover food items can be used for composting rather than
being send to landfill. Establish a worm farm and/or compost bin.
|
WATER USAGE
|
Strategy
|
Experience/Strategy/Action
|
1
|
Choose water efficient
equipment tap and hardware. At least 4 star rating.
|
2
|
Use dishwasher only when
they are full.
|
3
|
Install rainwater harvest
tank.
|
Sustainability Strategies to involve children :-
- implementing water conservation mechanisms such
as timers, stickers visible on taps, putting out buckets to collect rain
water
- taking responsibility for turning off lights and
fans before going outdoors
- caring for worm farms and using the jars of “worm
juice” collected by children as fertiliser to use at home
- sorting and recycling waste after meals and
encouraging the use of reusable containers to store snacks and meals
- creating garden patches, allowing children to
participate in growing fruit, flowers or vegetables.
Sustainability strategies to involve Families,
colleagues and community
- Inside the entrance of centres, set up displays
of sustainability messages that can be easily seen by families. Include
locally relevant issues and information -local plants and wildlife, local
bin colours and recycling systems etc.
- Create a Sustainability monthly newsletter or add
a sustainability section to your current newsletter. Include actions the centre
has done, educational experiences with the children, event/opportunities
for parents.
- Develop an environmental calendar.
- Use a worm farm or composting bin to reduce food
waste within the service. Encourage children to place food scraps into
separate containers for use a worm farm/composting bin.
- Role model energy and water conservation
practices (turning off lights and a/c when room not in use, emptying water
play containers into gardens etc.) and explain its benefits.
- Purchase equipment that is eco-friendly and
reduce amount of plastic used.
- Buy books with environmental content to share
with the children.
- Include “Sustainability” as a standing item in
all staff(colleagues) meeting agendas.
Q. How would the change within the policy and service
be implemented?
· Prepare a plan and strategies to involve children,
family, colleagues and community.
· Conduct meeting to seek approval and consultation.
· Once plan and strategies are confirmed, communicate
family, colleagues and community as per plan and strategies. We can make use of
Notice board, weekly meeting, email or newsletter.
· Set an audit or assessment of Sustainability practice
as per policy within the service on timely basis to validate the practice is
followed.
· Based on the outcome of audit, set an action plan to
change or update existing strategies to remediate any shortcomings or any
challenges.
· This action plan must be verified and need to be
followed as per change or update proposed.
· An owner or responsible person must be assigned to
prepare report and monthly review meeting must be held to validate the
implementation.
Q. How would others be informed of the
changes after the consultation process?
·
Information
sessions
·
Newsletter
·
Monthly
meeting held by director with staff
· Induction programs and regular training
program.
· Sharing policy and procedures through seminar,
conference or online training program.
Two
References or resources related to sustainability that can be used to
inform the policy and practices in relation to your chosen area
· Email/ Social Corporate group Camp Australia yammer
survey
through child service intranet portal such as yammer group
Q. How would the change within the policy and service
be implemented?
· Prepare a plan and strategies to involve children,
family, colleagues and community.
· Conduct meeting to seek approval and consultation.
· Once plan and strategies are confirmed, communicate
family, colleagues and community as per plan and strategies. We can make use of
Notice board, weekly meeting, email or newsletter.
· Set an audit or assessment of Sustainability practice
as per policy within the service on timely basis to validate the practice is
followed.
· Based on the outcome of audit, set an action plan to
change or update existing strategies to remediate any shortcomings or any
challenges.
· This action plan must be verified and need to be
followed as per change or update proposed.
· An owner or responsible person must be assigned to
prepare report and monthly review meeting must be held to validate the
implementation.
Q. How would others be informed of the
changes after the consultation process?
·
Information
sessions
·
Newsletter
·
Monthly
meeting held by director with staff
· Induction programs and regular training
program.
· Sharing policy and procedures through seminar,
conference or online training program.
Two
References or resources related to sustainability that can be used to
inform the policy and practices in relation to your chosen area
Reference 1:
Digitizing Daycare: How the Learning Care Group has
used technology to get ahead
Parents’ Perspective
·
Education documentation applications
provide platforms for daily child-specific updates to parents across several
categories of information such as mood, activities, eating, naps, potty
training, attendance, and requests for additional supplies (such as diapers).
·
Additionally, the ability to provide
pictures is usually a feature of these applications. Also, some of these
applications allow parents to engage with teachers.
·
At Tutor Time centers, LCG has
implemented the PreciouStatus app.
·
PreciouStatus iPhone app showing
bathroom updates, food consumption, nap duration, and a quote from him:
·
Update change in policy and practices
through this app.
·
Share children portfolio.
Reference 2:
Good Practice for Staff and Volunteers
· Photography and videos
· CCTV
· Access to inappropriate images and internet use
· Communication with children through technology
· Use of social networking sites
· Applications for recording pupil progress Data Protection
Responding to Concerns
Reduce
– how can you improve on it?
• Use emails, websites and text messages to
communicate with parents, instead of paper notices.
• Set your printer to print double sided.
• Buy in bulk to reduce the quantity of
packaging.
Join Network
Educators might consider joining a
sustainable education network for ideas to engage in sustainable practices.
Current networks include:
This is non profit organization that
will support and help to achieve and implement various practices around
sustainability.
